Sewing-machine feeding mechanism



M. STEPHENSON 83, I

SEWING MACHINE FEEDING MECHANISM Nov. 1930;

Filed Aug. 30, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor'- H gh Mfitephensoh Nov. 25, 1930. H STEPHENSON 4 1,783Q060 SEWING MACHINE FEEDING MECHANISM Filed Aug. so, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor: HughM. Stephenson HISAttorfieg.

i ne M. s'zfnrirnnson, or

Paitn'ted Nov. 2 5,

sE-Wnsiewzhomnn rinnnzire MECHANISM Application med-Auguste, 1927; Serial NoQ-QEEGAEE My inx ention erelates generally to sewing n'1ach-inesand inore particularly to feeding mechanisms therefor. t Feeding ;n1echa-nisms for sewing machines ofthe universal feedingtype, as ordinarily fconstructed heretoforemave been of the overfeed type comprising rotatably adjustable mechanisms supported onf'the arm ofthe ma chine over thecloth plate and having a feed bar extending adjacent the cloth plate adaptedito engage the'materialheing sewn. These constructions are objectionablein that arranging the feeding niechanismon'the annof the machine necessarily results in acoinpli- Ycate'dbstructure which isQditliCult to enclose and which gives the machinea clumsy ap-v ipjeara'nce Y i l 1 4 Inthe usual forni zof uni'dire ctional ieeding inechanisin havingan oscillatory ffeed fldog, thematerialis fed under the-presser-foot of the machine by teeth' formed on thefeeddog adapted to engage and feed the material in one direction of its movement and adapted to f'reely slide underthe material in -the other direction of its movement. Universal underfeed lnechanlsms have been proposed in Wl'llCll a nonq'otatably adjustable; feedfdog' has been oscil latedin any direction bywaryingthe adjUStIlflIl'U 301': themechanism so as to cause the mechanism to feed in the desireddirection. Inasmuch as the feed-dog in these mechanisms has notheem rotatably edjusteble it has been necessaryto form the teeth engaging the material so as to feed in a-ny direction and alsoshcl-e freelyunderthematerlal 1n any (11: rectloni As a IfGSlllUllllSBPiflOl mechanisms have notvposjitiveliy fed the material during the sewin i operation and frequently interthe material on its return stroke in which it rupt the5=leeding ott'niaterial during the sew mg operation by: the feed clog teeth engaging should slide freely underthe material.

An objectof iny invention is to. providea silnpleand eiiiectiveuniversal feeding mechanisin which willtpositiyely feed the material being sewn in any direction of adjustment y andi which can bereadilyadjustedto feed? in aliyiydirection at Will. I- accomplish thisloy %supporting a feedvclog beneath-"the presserr foot of the machineso itcanfbe rotatablysad ride an improved stitch adjusting mechanism ustedito anaechmaism for gem-ante the feed dog in all (llIGC EIOE-ESQ O f rotatable ad ustment,

Another object o f myginvention is to provide a simple'feed-dog ectuating mechanism which is particularly adaptedioruse in niy iinproyedfuniv sal feeding inechanisln, but

FOB'if -WAYNEQ INDIAIEAQ sst-gnom ennnminnnncmnio CGIrIPANYiA coRPonA'rroN or g e I which is also use; 'ljin any'other, form offeede ing mechanism; I'clo thisby supporting an seillatory feed klogfion-a'n axially movable nien lc'erand protiding means for oscillating "said teed-doginresponse to axial m vement ofseid meinber, t i

A further object of my invention is to pro inclilding a lever: supported adj ustably relative to tapering. cainsffor actuating the saine through ranges of movement dependent on the fofthe lever relative toYthe cams, v

in the following description referring to the accompanyingcdrawing, and the features of novelty j WhlClL characterizef niy invention illhe pointed out with particularityin the claims annexed to and forminga part of this specification. In the Figyl is a side elevation ot'a sewing machine 'embodylng my 4 is View similarto Fig. 3 showing the feed "x 79 My invention will" be more yfully set forth 'dogatjthe end ofits stroke ;1 Fig. 5 isajsec- Q Referring to the'draiving, I have shownmy invention, for cony'enience in illustration, in

connection with a rotary center bobbin; type presser-foot 14". A, loopetaker 15 is se-y curedtofla shaft-IG beneath the cloth plate of the'machine and is operated in the nec essary time relation tothe'needle bar 12 and takeup 13 by shafts and gearing: extending through the a-twill ot the machine, ncluding a connection to the electric motor 17 for driving the machine.

The material M being sewn is fed under the Presser-foot 14 during the operation of the machine by universal feeding mechanism which, in accordance with my invention, comprises an oscillatory feed-dog 18 supported 011 a rotatably adjustable and axially movable member 19 in such manner that the latter can be adjusted to change the path. of oscillatory movement of the former to any desired direction under the presser-foot 141. This enables me to form the teeth 18 on the feed-dog 18, which engage the material, so that they will positively feed the material in one direction and freely slide thereunder in the other direction. In order to facilitate the adjustment of the annular member 19, so as to vary the direction of feed of the mechanism, I arrange a lever 20 on the cloth plate 10 which is connected to the annular member by shafts and gearing including a pinion 21 engaging the toothed portion 19 of the member 19, and secured to a shaft 22 provided with a flexible portion 22'. The shaft 22 is supported at one end in a bearing 23 extending from the cloth plate 10 and at the other end in a slot 24 formed in a bracket 25 extending from the cloth plate. The pin ion 21 is retained in engagement with the toothed portion 19 of the member 19 by a spring 26 connected between the shaft 22 and the bracket 25. During the operation of the machine the annular member 19, which is slidably supported in the opening 10 of the cloth plate, is raised and lowered which raises and lowers the pinion 21 against the action of the spring 26 so that in all positions of adjustment and vertical movement of the member 19 the connection is maintained with the adjusting handle 20.

Mechanism is provided for oscillating the feed-dog 18 in response to axial movement of the member 19 which is particularly adapted for use in my improved universal feeding mechanism, but which is also applicable to any feeding mechanism employing anoscillatory feed-dog. This mechanism comprises links 31 extending between the member 19 and the feed-dog, a plurality of supporting springs 27 arranged between the member 19 and the feed-dog 18 for supporting the feed-dog therein in a position of equilibrium at the beginning of its stroke adjacent the tip of thepresser-foot 1 1 in the position of adjustment of the mechanism shown in the drawing, and headed stop pins 28 which prevent the feed-dog from rotating on the member 19 and limit its vertical movement relative thereto. The headed stop pins 28, which are secured to the feed-dog at 30,

extend through slots 29 in the member 19,

and the length of these pins 28 is such that the teeth 18 of the feed-dog are lowered out of engagement with the material being sewn when the member 19 is in its lowermost position and the springs 27 support the feeddog 18 in its position of equilibrium at the beginning of its stroke. Vertical movement of the member 19, which is slidably supported in the opening 10 of the cloth plate 10, moves the feed-dog toward the end of its stroke adjacent the heel of the presser-foot by the action of the links 31 as they are arranged between the member 19 and the feed-dog 18 in such position that they are slightly tilted from the vertical in the direction of movement of the feed-dog when it engages the material to feed it under the presser-foot. As the member 19 is raised from its lowermost position shown in Fig. 3 to its uppermost position, shown in Fig. 4, the links 31 move toward a horizontal position and move the feed-dog toward the heel of the presserfoot, compressing the springs 27 on the side of the feed-dog in the direction of feed, and elongating the springs 27 on the side of the feed-dog from which the material is fed. The tension of the presser-spring 14 relative to the springs 27 supporting the feed-dog in the member 19 is adjusted by a screw 14 so that when the member 19 moves downwardly in its cycle of operation from the position shown in Fig. 4: the feed-dog is lowered until the presser-foot clamps the material M against the throat-plate 10, and upon further downward movement of the member 19 the links 31 move toward an approximately vertical position, shown in Fig. 3, permitting the feed-dog to move to its position of equilibrium under the action of the springs 27 at the beginning of its stroke out of contact with the material M.

In order to raise and lower the member 19 for actuating the feed-dog, as above explained, and at the same time permitit to be rotatably adjusted to vary the direction of feed of the mechanism, I provide a forked lever 32, the prongs 33 of which slidably engage each side of the member 19, and the o her end of which engages the bed-plate at 92 The lever 32 is adjustably supported from the cloth plate 10 by an adjusting pin 34 provided with a cam 35 and having a spring 36 thereon, arranged to yieldably support the lever in engagement with the cloth plate in such position that the cam 35 is aligned with the sides of the opening 32". The lever 32 moved about its support so as to impart axial reciprocatory movement to the member 19 for actuating the feed-dog 18 bv tapering cams 37 supported from the bracket 25 and provided with gears 38 which are driven by pinion. 39 on the loop-taker shaft 16. The tapering cams 37 engage narrow bearing surfaces 32 on the lever 32, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that adjustment of the cam 35 by turning the pin 34- shifts the lever 32 relative to the cams 37 and changes the range of movement of the lever -co'rres a'ondin gly changes the range of s2 aboutitssupport. Ghangingthe range of Tmoveinent of the lever SQ-ahbiitits stippoi't' rti cal'niovement of the member *19tvhich le ens the range of oscillatory movement of the feeddog 18 and shortens thestitclrforrned by themachine. It will-be seen; by referring -to Figs 1 ends, that the shifting of the -=lever 32rela'tive to tl1e"cams37 slightly lowers' the member 19', as this adjustment moves the bearing surfaces 32 along the tapering I cams 37 from the position in which it is ill lustratedu This lowersthe position occupied bythe feed-dog when it is inequilibrium under the action of the springs 27 at'thebeginning of its stroke'and slightly increases the clearance between the teeth 18* a and the machine. l

: material M-being sewn; Lowering the member19 inthis way does not-change therelation of the linksBl to theteedi-fdogfl8and the member 19 because the stop pins 28 limit "the vertical movement of the feed-dog 18 'relative tolthe member 19. Inasmuch asth'e range ofvertical movement of. the member 19 is lessened by this adjustmentit will now he apparent that the uppermost position of the member 19 will be somewhat lower than is shown} in Fig 4,. so that the links 31 will not approach so nearly a horizontal pos'ition which will lessenthe range of movement oi' the feed-dog towardtheend of the stroke and shorten the stitch formed the In operation ot the sewing machine the it needle, pressenfoo't and taker-up cooperate with the loop taker andmy improved deeding mechanism to form-stitches fin theusnal manner. The material M being. sewn is fed it 1 under. thepresser-foot in the necessary time relation to the imovement of the needle by the feed-dog 18. This time relation is oh *tained by the action-ofthe cams;37 {which arefdriven'by the loop taker shaft :16 and which raise and lowerthe*leverBQand the member 19 through arange of movement wdepending on the adjustment of the .stitc'h controlling pin 3 l which is determined-by the position o-fthe bearing surfaces: 32 rela tiveto the tapering; ca ms 37; The cycle of 1 operation of'the feed-dog in response to ra1s ing-and lowering the member- 19 underthe action of the cams-37 isas follows At the beginning of the stroke of thefeed-dog the member 19" is in {its lowermost position 1 as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, so'thgat the teeth 18* a of the feedadog' are slightly below: the ma terial M 1 under thelpresser toot and in equllibrium funder the action of the s'pringsQf. In i this position the heads ofthe stop pins 28 abut againstthe membera19 limiting the i a separation of theieed-dog 18' and member 19 in which the,linksgfilv are tilted slightly 1 from the vertical in the clirectionot feedof the mechanism When the j feed dog is in this positionther"cam -r31-raiseithe m mber separates the member 19 from the :feed dog '18 and permits theflinks 31 tomove to an v invention herein disclosed; 2:1 gdesir 19 by the lever 32 which hangs the ffed-dog into engagement with the material underthe presser-foot and raises the resser-foot 7 against, the action of the presser spring 14E which releasesthe material M c-lamped be t tween the presser foot 14. and the throat plate 10 and at thesanie time moves the At the end of the stroke the ie'ed dog 1 8 is feedxlog toward the heel of thepresserffo0t.

plate 10 After the presser jtoot clamps the material against the throatplate= the cams 37 continue to lower the member 19 which approximately. vertical position j so that the feed-dog l8 slides under the material M 'to theb'eginning of its stroke. The stop pins 28 limit the downward inovement of; the "member 19 relativeto the feed-dog 118ai1d when the heads of the pins :28 come in 'c'ontact with the member 19 the feed+dog is in a position-of equilibrium under the action of the springs 27' andythe links 31 are inaanm approximately vertical position. 1 The cams 37 then slightly lower the member 19"and are slightly below the "material M ahd'ithe mechanism "is in the positiongshowniF-igt; 3 in which the feed-dog is at the beginning befits strokel This cyclev ofoper'ationwof the feeding mechanism is continuouslyrepeated during the operation o-f'the; machinemflhe operationrof the feedingmechanism has been M:

described" in theposi'tionin which it feeds the material from the 'toeitowardithe heel-of the presserfoot 14 but it is apparent that as the feed do'g 18 is mounted 'on themember 19 that it Willbe actuated in the same-manher in all positionsrot rotatable adjustment of. the member- 19 and that} the I later 32 'will raise and lowe'rgth'e"Ihemberr19to actuate the: feed-dog infa-ny JPOSltiOILOf rotatable adjustment. The direction 0-5 ffeedingot-x the mechanism can;be-1*eadily controlled by manipulation of the lever 2O Which-rotatablv adjusts -the positionot the member 19 and the direction of the oscillatory movement of 1 the teed dog under the presser-ffoot.

"Although I have i described my universal 'teeding mechanism 1111 connection;- with a roparent that it'is applicable ia sowell toany other, sewing-"machine? -Mor'eovfer, it isaiaptai-y'center bobbin sewing in achineqit i -apparentthatmodificationsgwill-occurtoqthose skilled in the art; of; the embodimentof my eattdbe understood,; therefore, that my invention is not limited to the particular arrangement 6.

shown and described, and'I intend in the' appended claims to cover all modifications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United is:

1. In a sewing machine having a clothplate, a universal feeding mechanism comprising a feed-dog arranged below the top of said cloth-plate, a vertically movable member, means for supporting said member so as to provide for rotatable adjustment of the same, means for supporting said feeddog on said member and for actuating the same to feed material in response to vertical movement of said member in any position of rotatable adjustment so that the feeding mechanism can be adjusted to feed in all directions.

2. In a sewing machine having a clothplate, a universal feeding mechanism comprising a feed-dog arranged below the top of said cloth-plate, a vertically movable member means for supporting said member so as to provide for rotatable adjustment of the same, means including a spring between said feed-dog and said member tending to maintain the former in one position relative to the latter, and means for actuating said feed-dog to feed material in response to vertical movement of said member in any position so that the feeding mechanism can be adjusted to feed in all directions.

3. In a sewing machine having a cloth plate, a universal feeding mechanism comprising a feed-dog arranged below the top of said cloth-plate, a vertically movable member, means for supporting said member so as to provide for rotatable adjustment of the same, means including a spring between said feed-dog and said member tending to maintain the former in one position relative to the latter, and means including links between said member and said feed-dog for actuating the latter in response to vertical movement of said member in any position so that the feeding mechanism can be adjusted to feed in all directions.

4. In a sewing machine having a bedplate, a universal feeding mechanism comprising a feed-dog arranged below the top of said bed-plate, a vertically movable annular member, means for supporting said member to provide for rotatable adjustment of the same, means including a plurality of substantially radially arranged springs between said feed-dog and said member tending to maintain said feed-dog in the center of said member, and means including links between said member and said feed-dog for actuating the latter in response to vertical movement of said member in any position of rotatable adjustment so that the feeding mechanism can be adjusted to feed in all directions.

5. In a sewing machine having a presser foot and a bed-plate, said bed-plate having a cylindrical bore below said presser foot, a universal feeding mechanism including a feed-dog co-operating with said presser foot arranged in said bore and arranged below the top of said bed-plate, a vertically movable annular member arranged in said bore, means for supporting said member to provide for rotatable adjustment and axial movement thereof, means including a plurality of springs between said feed-dog and said member tending to maintain the feed dog substantially in the center of said member, and means including a plurality of links between said member and said feed'dog for actuating the latter in response to vertical movement of said member in any position so that the feeding mechanism can be adjusted to feed in all directions.

6. In a sewing machine having a clothplate, a feeding mechanism comprising an oscillatory feed-dog arranged below the top of said cloth-plate, an axially movable annular member, springs between said annular member and said feed-dog, and means cooperating with said springs for actuating said feed-dog to feed material in response to axial movement of said annular member.

7. In a sewing machine having a clothplate, a feeding mechanism comprising an oscillatory feed-dog arranged below the top of said cloth-plate and a presser-foot having a spring urging said presser-foot against said feed-dog, an axially movable annular member, springs between said annular member and said feed-dog, and means cooperating with said springs and said presser-foot for actuating said feed-dog to feed material in response to axial movement of said annular member.

8. In a sewing machine, a cloth-plate having an opening therein, a universal feeding mechanism comprising a rotatably adjustable and axially movable member extending into the opening in said cloth plate, a feeddog mounted on said rotatable member, and means for actuating said feed-dog to feed material in response to axial movement of said member in all positions of rotatable adjustment so that the mechanism can be adjusted to feed in all directions.

9. In a sewing machine having a clothplate, a universal feeding mechanism comprising a rotatably adjustable and axially movable member, an oscillatory feed-dog mounted on said member, means for actuating said feed-dog to feed material in response to axial movement of said member, means for rotatably adjusting said member throughout the range of its axial movement and for yieldably retaining the same at one end of its range of movement, and means for axially moving said member in all positions of rotatable adjustment so that the mechanism can be adjusted to feed in all directions.

10 In a sewing machine having a cloth plate, a unlversal feedlng mechanism comprising a horizontally disposed annular member, said member being rotatably adjustable and axially movable, an oscillatory feed-dog supported on said member, meansfor axially moving sald member including a forked lever supported atone end from said cloth plate, the prongs of said lever slidably engaging each side of said member sothat the mecha nism canbe adjusted to feed'in all directions,

and means responsive to axialmovement of said member for actuating saidfeed-dog'to feedmaterial. i V

11. In a sewing machine having a cloth plate, a universal feeding mechanism comprising a rotatably adjustable and axially I movable member, an oscillatory feed-dog yieldably. retaining said member against supported on said, member, a rotatable cam, a forkedlever supported at one end fromfsald cloth plate, the prongs of said lever engaging said member, sa1d cam being arranged to en-' gage said lever lntermedlate the ends thereof for moving the same aboutit's support "soas to axially move said-member, and means'responsive to ax al movement ofsaid member for actuating said feed-clog to feed material.

a 12. In a sewing machine having a cloth plate, a universal feeding mechanism comprising a rotatably adjustable feed-dog, and

means for oscillating said feed-dog in all positions of rotatable adjustment includlng alever supported at one end from said cloth plate and a cam engaging said lever for mov ing the same about its support, said lever and cam being relatively adjustable to vary the range of oscillatory movement of said feed-dog.

13, In a rotary sewing machine having a cloth plate and a loop-taker shaft, a universal feeding mechanism comprising an oscillatory feed dog, a rotatably adjustable and axially ,movable member for supporting said-feedof said cams being arranged to engage a branch of said forked lever for moving the same aboutits support.

15. In a sewing machine having a clothplate and a loop-taker sha-ft,-a universal feeding mechanism comprising an oscillatory feed-dog, a rotatably adjustable and axially movable member for supporting said feeddog, leverhaving one endsupported from said cloth-plate and the other end forked to cngage'said member on opposite sides there of, a plurality; of rotatable camsdriven by said loop-taker shaft and each being ar-v rangedto engage a branch ofsaid forked lever, for movin theisame about itssupport, and means foradjusting said lever relative to said cam for varying the range of oscillatory movement I of said feed-dog.

16. In a sewing machine having a clothplate and a loop-takershaft, a universal feeding mechanism comprising an oscillatory feed-dog, a rotatably adjustable and axially gage abranch of said forked lever for moving the same about its support, and means for loop-taker shaft,'ea'ch being arranged to en:

yieldably retaining said member'against the forks of said lever and for rotatably adjust .ing said feed-dog to feedin all directions. i In Witness Whereof,I have hereunto set my hand this 26th" day of; August, 1927. i M HUGH M; STEPHENSON.

dog, a lever having one end supported from i said cloth plate and the other end engaging said member, a rotatable cam driven by sald loop-taker shaft and arranged to engage said lever for moving the same about its support,

means for adjusting said lever relative to said,

cam for varying the range of oscillatory movement of said feed-dog, ,and means for said lever andfor rotatably adjusting said feed-dog to feed in all directions. 1

14:. In a sewing machinehaving a clothplate and a loop-taker shaft, a universal feeding mechanism comprising 2L1l'0SC1llL tory feed-dog, a rotatablyadjustable and axially movable member forsupporting said feed-dog, a lever having one end supported from said cloth-plate and the other end forked to engage said member on opposite sides thereof, and a plurality of rotatable cams driven by said looptaker shaft, each 

